Employee Rights: What You Need to Know

Understanding your rights as an employee in Slovakia is crucial for maintaining a fair and productive work environment. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key aspects of employee rights, ensuring you're well-informed about your entitlements and protections under Slovak labor law.

Working Hours and Overtime

In Slovakia, the standard workweek is 40 hours. Employees are entitled to:

• A minimum of 30 minutes break after 6 hours of continuous work
• 11 hours of uninterrupted rest between shifts
• Overtime pay of at least 25% above the regular hourly rate
• A maximum of 150 hours of overtime per calendar year

Leave Entitlements

Slovak labor law provides generous leave benefits:

• A minimum of 20 days of paid annual leave
• Additional leave for employees over 33 years of age
• Maternity leave of 34 weeks (37 for single mothers)
• Paternity leave of 28 weeks
• Sick leave with partial salary compensation

Anti-Discrimination Protections

Slovakia has strong anti-discrimination laws in place to protect employees. It is prohibited to discriminate based on:

• Gender, age, or sexual orientation
• Race, ethnicity, or national origin
• Religion or belief
• Disability
• Marital or family status

Workplace Safety

Employers in Slovakia are required to:

• Provide a safe working environment
• Offer regular health and safety training
• Supply necessary protective equipment
• Conduct regular risk assessments

Termination and Severance

In case of termination:

• Notice periods range from 1 to 3 months, depending on length of employment
• Severance pay is mandatory for employees with at least 2 years of service
• Protection against unfair dismissal is provided by law